During National Police Week, let’s remember and honor our fallen officers

On April 29, four members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force were killed in the line of duty and several others were wounded while attempting to apprehend a fugitive in North Carolina.

Two days before the North Carolina attack, two deputies in Polk County were shot.

About two weeks before that attack, a deputy in Hillsborough County was shot at, narrowly escaping serious injury because the bullet hit his service radio.

And there have been countless other attacks against law enforcement both here in Florida and across the country.

These attacks are just some of the examples of how, each day, members of law enforcement put their lives on the line to protect people in this community from harm. For that, they deserve our never-ending thanks. And for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we owe so much more. It is important that we remember them and honor them, so their sacrifice is never forgotten.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which is observed each year on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

National Police Week begins each year on May 12, and on May 13, a candlelight vigil will be held at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor the 282 officers who died in the line of duty – and whose names have been added to the Memorial – this year. With these additions, there are now more than 24,000 names engraved on the Memorial.

Many of these heroes who died in the line of duty were members of law enforcement in Florida. The Florida Law Enforcement Memorial and the Florida Sheriff ’s Association Law Enforcement Memorial are both located in Tallahassee; there are 969 names engraved on the Florida Law Enforcement Memorial and 431 names engraved on the FSA Law Enforcement Memorial.

These memorials – and the many others that are located across our state and nation – serve to remind us why we should be grateful to the members of law enforcement who put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe. For each of the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, law enforcement was not an ordinary job; it was a calling. It was something they did because they were dedicated to protecting and serving their communities. We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.

One way we can honor these heroes is to never forget the sacrifices they have made. Another way is to express our appreciation, gratitude and support for the families, friends and colleagues of every officer who has been killed in the line of duty – and to join them in their efforts to keep the legacies of their loved ones alive in their absence.

During National Police Week, I hope all of us will take a moment to show our gratitude and thank the members of law enforcement for everything they do to serve our communities and keep us safe. And I hope all of us will remember those officers who have been killed, disabled or injured in the line of duty.

We are forever grateful for their selfless acts and courage.

Roger Handberg is the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, which is based in Tampa.